Today you turned four.
FOUR!
My goodness.
I'm pretty sure every time there's a birthday in the world there is some parent having an existential crisis somewhere and thinking "Weren't you just a baby?", but seriously, weren't you just a baby?
When you turn four, it's different than your other birthdays. Your first birthday, you have no idea what's going on, but you sure do like smashing cake. When you turn two, you can maybe tell people it's your birthday, you can open presents and play with toys and put up two fingers when someone asks how old you are, but you still don't really get it. When you turn three, you're closer. You understand that it's your birthday, you know it'll be fun, you know you're three, but you don't have a lot of preexisting ideas about birthdays. I remember on your third birthday you came out of your room, saw balloons hanging from the door and said, "It's my birthday in my room!". Adorable.
When you turn four, you get it. You know there's presents. You know there's cake. You know there's fun. You know and understand that you're getting older and bigger. You can maybe remember parts of your last birthday. You could even remember this birthday years from now. So your mom and I (and especially your mom) worked very hard to make it special for you. We took you to the aquarium, we had a pizza party, we had the cake of your choice, you got very nice presents. We wanted you to feel special.
On our drive home, without being asked, you said "thank you for my birthday" and when we asked if you were having a good day you said, "This is the best birthday ever". That meant a lot to us.
As you get older you are getting easier and easier to talk to. You understand what's happening around you. You ask smart questions, make interesting connections, and are always learning. When I look at you, I don't see a toddler anymore. I see a little girl. I see a girl who is smart, silly, curious, caring, and kind hearted. You're not afraid to tell us what you want, but you are incredibly grateful for what you get. You are a little girl with a big heart and big eyes.
When you turn four, you know a lot more about who you are. We are so excited to celebrate that with you.
Love Dad
